About The Writers

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

The Top Ten Reasons to Join a Critique Group

By Ronda Simmons (aka Ronda-no-h)

I have somehow lucked my way into an awesome critique group.
It has improved my writing more than any class or conference I have ever
attended. If you don’t have one, get one. Here are my top ten reasons why:

10. You get to be a part of the creative process with your
critique group members.

Brainstorming is one of the most exciting, juicy things
to do as a writer, whether it’s your work or someone else’s.

9. Your critique group will help you learn to handle rejection.

As
Daniel Handler said, “Rejection to a writer is like water to a fish. It’s
everywhere.” That doesn’t make rejection not suck, but your critique group will
help you process it. When they share their rejections with you, you know you are not alone.

This May Be My Initial Look, But It's All Good.

8. You have a built in cheering squad to celebrate your
successes.

When you finally get that coveted “yes, please!” from an agent or
editor there’s nothing better than sharing it with your critique group. Just as
wonderful, you’ll get to celebrate their successes, too.

7. They will help you accept and embrace criticism.

To be a
writer you need to develop a thick skin. A good critique group will, in the
nicest way possible, point out where your writing flaws are. If you want to
grow as a writer you need this.

6. You can do fun writing things together.

Last
January three of us from my critique group entered the NYC Midnight short story
contest. It was honestly one of the most fun writing things I did in 2016. Next
year our entire group is going to sign up. Which leads us to …

5. They know things you don’t know.

One of my writing partners told me about that NYC Midnight contest which I otherwise would have missed. Maybe they will recommend
a beautiful book, or maybe they will know how to craft the perfect query letter, or
maybe they will know of a great writing class you need to take. Whatever they’ve got to tell you, listen.

4. Your critique group will get to know and love your
characters as well, or better, than you do.

The characters you create become
like your children. You love them and you love the people who love them.

3. You have people willing to go to writing conferences.

Writing
conferences can be intimidating for newbies and for seasoned writers alike. Knowing
that you’ve got a friend or three there can make the difference between finding
a lame excuse not to go and actually showing up. And showing up is good.

2. They bring skills to the table that you don’t have.

One
of the members of our critique group, Laura, is an amazing copy editor. She can find
and kill dangling participles like a pro. Another, Joe, just reviewed this article
and pointed out that I use the word “that” way too much. See? I did it again.
It helps to know you’ve got someone in your corner who can make up for
your limitations. And finally . . .

1. Your critique group will become your tribe.

Writing can
be a lonely process but it doesn’t have to be. Your amazing writing family will
keep you motivated when you want to give up, will keep you focused when you
lose direction and will make the entire process richer and more fun.

If you’re already in a critique group, good for you. If you’re not, what are you
waiting for?

6 comments:

Welcome, Ronda! So happy to have you aboard as a regular contributor! And well said; I think critiques groups are such a vital part of being a successful writer. I couldn't do it without the support, knowledge, and encouragement from my group who are always there to rally around and push me to be a better writer.

I do realize I'm a bit biased as a member of such said critique group, but I'd like to add one more little factoid I know Ronda would also agree with which is the fact that writer's group members support us through thick and thin times and they're constantly trolling our network and adding comments to keep us going;) Like your own personal stalker of your words, but the good kind!

I also have a fantastic critique group, and I must say it makes such a difference. I had four full drafts of my novel before I had regular support from other writers, and that is a very lonely process. Moreover, there is only so much you can do from your own single perspective. You've got to have that reader perspective to know if you're even making sense.

Great post! Thanks for sharing. I wish success on you and on all your critique group. :)

A good critique group is like hot coffee with cream, fresh scones, and a really rocking concert all rolled into one. The very best critique group takes each and every member to the next level of his or her writing. When one finds the fusion of the aforementioned two, then life is a bowl of pit-less Palisade Peaches on their way to becoming pie. :-)